Uncertainty beclouds MAPOLY, as govt., ASUP face-off gets tough

Following the crisis surrounding the upgrading of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, MAPOLY to Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology, MAUSTECH and establishment of a new Polytechnic at Ipokia, lecturers and students of the institution were mired in confusion on the real state of the polytechnic.

PLATFORM TIMES gathered both the lecturers and the students are uncertain whether the school is still in existence or has long died as claimed by some people.

It was further learnt that while the students are not certain on when they will finish the 2017/2018 Academic session, the lecturers are also confused of their job security and what the future holds for them.

It would be recalled that things fell apart between the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic and Ogun state government last year when the Union alleged the state government of boycotting them in the policy that will affect their future.

PLATFORM TIMES observed that the face-off which has lasted for over a year and half has become worst recently when the National Board of Technical Education failed to advertise both MAPOLY and Ogun Poly, Ipokia on their website for 2018/2019 admission.

PLATFORM TIMES findings showed that the state government has insisted that admission will take place into the Ogun poly, Ipokia while the courses would be run in the current MAPOLY.

It was also observed that presently, the lecturers are confused where the face-off will lead to, as some of them expressed displeasure over the current situation.

The lecturers who spoke through the Zone C Zonal Coordinator of ASUP, Mr. Olawale Omoobaorun, on Monday raised questions on the state of the polytechnic, the future of the lecturers and the nonpayment of salaries.

PLATFORM TIMES also gathered that the refusal of the state government to answer their questions led to union declaring an indefinite work-to-rule industrial action until the government meets their demands.

The lecturers claimed that they had written letters to the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology and the Secretary to the State Government, over their predicament without getting any response.

Meanwhile, the students are in a state of dilemma, as some of them who spoke with PLATFORM TIMES expressed concern over the state of the institution and their studentship status, lamenting that the crisis has led to delay in their academic year.

It was further observed that the students are now in the state of dilemma of what the future holds for them, as many were seen looking frustrated with the current situation of the school.

The students expressed disappointment over the negative impact of the crisis on their academic career, saying the crisis has brought delay on their academic calendar.

They, however, appealed to the government to meet up with the demand of the Union, claiming that they will be the one to be consumed by the face-off.

An accountancy student identified as Solomon Bukola said, “This work-to-rule action will just add to our problem. We are already using more than the normal years for HND pogramme, we are the one that will bear the war between the government and ASUP.”

Also, a final year student of Mass Communication, Adeola Yakub appealed to the government to heed to the demands of the lecturers.

Yakub also expressed uncertainty to when he will finish his HND programme, adding that he has spent beyond the stipulated time.

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